‘night, Mother, a more recent American play, which, in form of a dialogue
between a mother and her adult daughter deals with the daughter’s
desperation for missing autonomy and her decision to gain control over her
life by ending it, has met with controversial reception from critics after
winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1983. On the one hand it was celebrated as a
successful drama by a female playwright, whereas it was denied on the other
hand as betraying Feminism.
Still, in my paper this struggle will not be continued. What I am interested in
here is, how the play treats the subject of free death as a specific way of
dying. In our current society this subject arouses either greed for sensation or
it is looked upon as a taboo and the public treatment or defense of it is
normally denied. Examining the plays reception by critics it is striking that the
protagonist’s carried out death is mainly deemed positive or even compared
with a heroic deed. In the face of this debate I will examine Jessie’s
desperation with her life and show, if she is in the end really successful in
reaching autonomy and a personal identity through suicide.
The first objects of my research are going to be Jessie’s current situation, her
inward state of mind and how she comes to the decision that death might
constitute a solution to her problems. The next step will be a discussion of
this decision and its justification with the help of two different works on
suicide, of which one is rather a scientific study and the other one a
philosophical treatise on the topic. Finally, I will have a look at those critiques
which are in favor of Jessie’s suicide as a positive and successful action and
put them in context with the plot of the play, which will lead to a conclusion
of what Jessie has actually reached and in how far her suicide might be seen
as a wrong reaction.
Table of Contents
- I Introduction
- II Main Part
- 1 Dependence, Isolation and Hopelessness as the Dominating Feelings in Jessie's Life
- 1.1 Childhood and Family
- 1.2 Epilepsy
- 1.3 Male Domination
- 1.4 Mother-Daughter-Relationship
- 2 Jessie's Decision to Commit Suicide as a Means of Self-Definition
- 3 Self-Determination of Death
- 4 What Has Jessie Actually Reached?
- 1 Dependence, Isolation and Hopelessness as the Dominating Feelings in Jessie's Life
- III Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines Marsha Norman's play, 'night, Mother,' focusing on Jessie's decision to commit suicide and whether it represents a path to autonomy and self-identity. The analysis explores the portrayal of suicide as a means of escaping a life dominated by dependence, isolation, and hopelessness. The paper also considers critical reception of the play and its portrayal of Jessie's death.
- Jessie's struggle for autonomy and self-definition.
- The impact of childhood experiences, epilepsy, and relationships on Jessie's mental state.
- The portrayal of suicide as a means of escape and self-determination.
- Critical responses to the play and the interpretation of Jessie's actions.
- The exploration of themes of dependence, isolation, and hopelessness.
Chapter Summaries
I Introduction: The introduction discusses the controversial reception of Marsha Norman's 'night, Mother,' focusing on the play's exploration of suicide as a means to gain control over one's life. The author states their intention to analyze Jessie's desperation and assess whether she achieves autonomy through suicide, examining her current situation, the decision-making process, and critical perspectives on her actions. The introduction sets the stage for a detailed exploration of Jessie’s motivations and the implications of her choice.
II Main Part: This section delves into the root causes of Jessie's despair, meticulously examining her past experiences and current circumstances. It explores how Jessie's childhood, marked by a lack of communication and authentic love, along with her epilepsy and strained relationships, have led to her feelings of isolation and hopelessness. The section uses specific examples from the play's dialogue to demonstrate the cumulative effect of these factors on Jessie's mental state and her ultimate decision to end her life.
Keywords
Suicide, autonomy, self-identity, 'night, Mother,' Marsha Norman, dependence, isolation, hopelessness, epilepsy, mother-daughter relationship, critical reception, female playwright, free death, self-determination.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Marsha Norman's "night, Mother"
What is the overall focus of this academic analysis?
This analysis examines Marsha Norman's play, "night, Mother," focusing on protagonist Jessie's decision to commit suicide and whether this act represents a path to autonomy and self-identity. It explores the portrayal of suicide as an escape from a life characterized by dependence, isolation, and hopelessness, also considering critical reception of the play and interpretations of Jessie's death.
What key themes are explored in the analysis of "night, Mother"?
The key themes include Jessie's struggle for autonomy and self-definition; the impact of childhood experiences, epilepsy, and relationships on her mental state; the portrayal of suicide as a means of escape and self-determination; critical responses to the play and the interpretation of Jessie's actions; and the exploration of themes of dependence, isolation, and hopelessness.
What aspects of Jessie's life are examined to understand her suicide?
The analysis delves into the root causes of Jessie's despair, examining her childhood experiences (lack of communication and authentic love), her epilepsy, and her strained relationships, particularly her mother-daughter relationship. It explores how these factors contributed to her feelings of isolation and hopelessness, ultimately leading to her decision to end her life.
How does the analysis utilize the play's text?
The analysis uses specific examples from the play's dialogue to demonstrate the cumulative effect of Jessie's past experiences and current circumstances on her mental state and her decision to commit suicide.
What is the structure of the academic analysis?
The analysis is structured into three main parts: an introduction outlining the scope and objectives; a main part exploring Jessie's life and motivations in detail; and a conclusion (not fully detailed in the preview). The preview also includes a table of contents, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Suicide, autonomy, self-identity, 'night, Mother,' Marsha Norman, dependence, isolation, hopelessness, epilepsy, mother-daughter relationship, critical reception, female playwright, free death, self-determination.
What is the purpose of the introduction section?
The introduction discusses the controversial reception of Marsha Norman's "night, Mother," focusing on the play's exploration of suicide as a means to gain control over one's life. It states the author's intention to analyze Jessie's desperation and assess whether she achieves autonomy through suicide, examining her current situation, the decision-making process, and critical perspectives on her actions.
What does the main part of the analysis cover?
The main part meticulously examines the root causes of Jessie's despair, exploring her past experiences and current circumstances. It shows how her childhood, epilepsy, and strained relationships led to her feelings of isolation and hopelessness. Specific examples from the play's dialogue are used to illustrate the cumulative effect of these factors on Jessie's mental state and her decision.
- Quote paper
- Peter Brüstle (Author), 2001, Jessie's Quest for Autonomy through Suicide in Marsha Norman's night Mother, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/13146
